THE JONES' - Do you wanna' f***in' die?!

Lawsuit_Boy said:
Yeah, life has been hectic lately. I'm just now finishing up a 30 minute short I began at the beginning of August (finishing the film involved breaking and entering as well as rappelling). On top of that, I work and am a full-time college student (about to enter Grad school soon, hopefully). So I'm swamped with stuff. I hope I can get around to actually reviewing some more films. I'll try to take another look at yours and see if I can add to my critique. Anyway, good luck in the voting!
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It's kind of funny how our lives can just be so busy. It's a miracle that we can even find the time to do the things we really enjoy sometimes. Sounds like you have been super busy. Glad you're still making films and let me know when your short is completely finished. I'd love to check it out. Yeah, if you have time, come on back - if not I totally understand.

Susanne G. said:
I love this film. It was a very refreshing and funny one. I enjoyed very much the ironically interpretation of the theme. It feels good to see that someone has broken the cliché of this kind of films. Especially I like your eye for all the details - this perfect mixture of comic strip and real; for example when one of the main actors put his foot in a puddle - very nice sequence. The conversation between the brothers was hilarious and your zombies were really comic strip-like with their strong colored faces. For sure one of my top three.

Susanne
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Thanks Susanne! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Your compliments bring a smile to my face.
We're so excited about the responses we've been getting. Thanks for leaving a review. :cheesy:

Robert Eldon said:
Love this film! I'm not in to 'Zombie' movies, but this was surprisingly entertaining.

I really liked the comic book stylization and wished that there had been a little more of it dispersed later in the film.

The dialog was snappy and fun. Great editing and camera work. Nice location, it really sold the environment and story.

My favorite shot was the bullet coming out of the barrel. It was nice that you didn't over do a lot of the effects. I thought the zombie make up was probably the weakest part of this film.

Great use of the music without it being obvious. It was subtle and just the right amount at the right time.

Great work on this by everyone! :thumbsup:
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Thank you very much, Robert. Yeah, we really got lucky on the location find thanks to one of my producer friends. So glad you liked the bullet effect. That was actually one of the very last pieces I put in there and was hoping it wouldn't be too much. Thanks for swinging by.
 
Marlon Ladd said:
And the "shut up" part is perfectly within their characters (being brothers) and how kid-like they can act with each other. That's where alot of the humor from these two comes from. They have conversations and talk to each other in ways they couldn't and wouldn't talk to anybody else. At least that's the intent.
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I think you're probably right - I've watched it several times now and that ending no longer worries me. Each time I've watched it I've enjoyed it as much as if not more than the time before. Familiarity does not breed contempt with this film. Now I find myself anticipating the lines and grinning gleefully as they come up - that, I think, shows that it really works very well.
 
Horncastle said:
I think you're probably right - I've watched it several times now and that ending no longer worries me. Each time I've watched it I've enjoyed it as much as if not more than the time before. Familiarity does not breed contempt with this film. Now I find myself anticipating the lines and grinning gleefully as they come up - that, I think, shows that it really works very well.
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You watched it several times? GREAT!! That means we've entertained and have done our jobs. I must admit that having edited it, I've watched it more times than humanly possible and I can still watch it and enjoy it. I think that's a sign that there's something here that really works. That's all we could ever hope for.
 
Some really fantastic shots--especially the high angle at the end, that was crazy cool--and dialogue. I grew to love the make-up, but it was something I wasn't too crazy about at the beginning. Entertaining short about killing zombies! Thanks for the trip.
 
Hey Marlon. Nice job mate. Really like what you did here and there are many really good things you did.

My personal thoughts - comic book opener could have been a bit more snappy. I felt the dialogue going 'round in circles a few times, whereas maybe there was opportunity to go somewhere else with it. Hey I dont do comedy though so ...

The other thing for me was the grading, for my eyes seemed a little too saturated. Wondering also if its due to the lack of separation on the actors within the scene itself.

Good entry and well done.
 
Hello there!

This is a crowd pleasing and very entertaining monster horror film with genuinely endearing characters. Like Noel i believe too the comic book opener could be quicker and that some of the voice over was redundent.

I quite liked the oversaturated look (as im sure that was particular to the comic book vibe) so i think that is fairly effective as is.

Some mentioned that the zombies seem strangely passive in the face of there attackers - and i think that is perhaps a worthy point to an extent however its fairly forgivable as this is a very abstract film really. Its a motion comic! Its about our invincible heroes really and there hilarious jive talking.

This is a film that held my attention throughout, and while there is the odd technical point and room for improvement, its something im sure you'll cover at your own pace quite comfortably Marlon. Most importantly you have an amusing story and good characters at your disposal.
 
xxrotinivol2 said:
Some really fantastic shots--especially the high angle at the end, that was crazy cool--and dialogue. I grew to love the make-up, but it was something I wasn't too crazy about at the beginning. Entertaining short about killing zombies! Thanks for the trip.
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Thanks for watching and enjoying. Glad the makeup grew on you. :thumbsup: It's interesting that you mention the high angle shot. Glad you liked that one - I don't think anyone else has mentioned it.

Noel Evans said:
Hey Marlon. Nice job mate. Really like what you did here and there are many really good things you did.

My personal thoughts - comic book opener could have been a bit more snappy. I felt the dialogue going 'round in circles a few times, whereas maybe there was opportunity to go somewhere else with it. Hey I dont do comedy though so ...

The other thing for me was the grading, for my eyes seemed a little too saturated. Wondering also if its due to the lack of separation on the actors within the scene itself.

Good entry and well done.
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Thanks for the compliments, Noel! Not sure what you mean by the opener being snappier. I'm not sure what else I could do to it or if I'd even want to touch it really. That intro kind of took a life of its own and turned out (IMO) better than I could have hoped for. Appreciate your feedback on that though.

As far as the dialogue goes, where else could you have seen it go? It really wasn't meant to go anywhere. This was kind of a glimpse into these characters' lives while they're basically doing some bada** things. They're brothers and they argue about silly things that they wouldn't argue with anybody else about and that's what makes it humorous.

I do appreciate your feedback though and I thought "Chasing Kangaroos" was an excellent film.

lawriejaffa said:
Hello there!

This is a crowd pleasing and very entertaining monster horror film with genuinely endearing characters. Like Noel i believe too the comic book opener could be quicker and that some of the voice over was redundent.

I quite liked the oversaturated look (as im sure that was particular to the comic book vibe) so i think that is fairly effective as is.

Some mentioned that the zombies seem strangely passive in the face of there attackers - and i think that is perhaps a worthy point to an extent however its fairly forgivable as this is a very abstract film really. Its a motion comic! Its about our invincible heroes really and there hilarious jive talking.

This is a film that held my attention throughout, and while there is the odd technical point and room for improvement, its something im sure you'll cover at your own pace quite comfortably Marlon. Most importantly you have an amusing story and good characters at your disposal.
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Hey, Lawrie. Thanks for the compliments and feedback. Much appreciated and thanks for taking the time to write a review.

I really don't think the intro could have been quicker though and I say that simply because there's alot going on there. The first page has the title, chapter and some additional writing on the bottom and the next two pages have additional text boxes to read and you're supposed to get all that and the VO, so I was really thinking that it would end up being too quick if anything. If you think it's a bit too long then I can live with that, because I'd rather it be that than not long enough for the audience to get out of it what's intended. Anyway, I think you got what this film intended and I was able to amuse, so I'm very content with that.
 
I hear crickets, it's been so dead around here today. Maybe 'cause it's Friday.

UPDATE:

Since "The Jones'" has gotten such a good responses, I've decided to take it further. Will be making this one my next feature and have already written an additional 25 pages. The follow up scenes to the film are maybe even funnier (IMO).
 
Congratulations and good luck as a finalist and:

Marlon Ladd said:
Since "The Jones'" has gotten such a good responses, I've decided to take it further. Will be making this one my next feature and have already written an additional 25 pages. The follow up scenes to the film are maybe even funnier (IMO).
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Great stuff!! I look forward to it.
 
Marlon Ladd said:
I hear crickets, it's been so dead around here today. Maybe 'cause it's Friday..
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Bang Bang, Clank Clank, Blah Blah, Pop Pop, Boom Boom, Squealing Breaks, Police Siren, Baby Crying, Car Crashes!!!!!!!!!!!

There now, it's not quiet here anymore LOL!

Oh yeah and...
:kali: :kali: :kali: :kali:
:kali: :kali: :kali: :kali:

-Tommy ;-)
 
:kali:
Horncastle said:
Congratulations and good luck as a finalist and:



Great stuff!! I look forward to it.
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Thanks, man! Hey, you changed your avatar!

TMerry said:
Bang Bang, Clank Clank, Blah Blah, Pop Pop, Boom Boom, Squealing Breaks, Police Siren, Baby Crying, Car Crashes!!!!!!!!!!!

There now, it's not quiet here anymore LOL!

Oh yeah and...
:kali: :kali: :kali: :kali:
:kali: :kali: :kali: :kali:

-Tommy ;-)
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That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Tommy! Bring the freakin' NOISE!!!!
:kali::kali::kali::kali::kali::kali::kali::kali::kali:
 
Hi Marlon,

I just saw that you are not only the director/producer/writer, you are also one of the two lead actors. That is amazing!!! It is even more difficult to make such a good film when you are acting in it yourself.

Susanne
 
Susanne G. said:
Hi Marlon,

I just saw that you are not only the director/producer/writer, you are also one of the two lead actors. That is amazing!!! It is even more difficult to make such a good film when you are acting in it yourself.

Susanne
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Heya' Susanne. I can tell you one thing, it's definitely challenging. LOL! It can be very difficult to explain the type of shot you want when you're actually in it. Luckily I've been doing this for a little while and my friends and I have kind of developed a system. My new camera makes it alot easier (and faster) too, to switch back and look at the shot - if I don't like it, then we do it again. Thanks for dropping the compliment!!
 
This seems an interesting experience to me. What is your back round? Did you go to film shool? I heard something about comic artist? When did you start making films?

Susanne
 
Susanne G. said:
This seems an interesting experience to me. What is your back round? Did you go to film shool? I heard something about comic artist? When did you start making films?

Susanne
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Well, I was an actor first. I had always wanted to act and write, but it wasn't until I started working on my Masters Degree that I found an English/Creative Writing program. That opened up the avenue for me to explore all the things I wanted to do (make movies - be in movies). I started off writing and acting in plays - somebody saw me and thought I had acting talent and hired me for video work. After that, got a local agent and was hired to act in a short 45 minute student film. The director (who is still a good friend of mine) showed me the BTS stuff and shortly after that, I made my own first short film (1998 or 1999). After that I made my first feature (a historical western about the first black US Deputy Marshal in the OK Indian Terr. - "Black Marshal") film and since then I've made another feature (2007 - "Recoil") and 8 or so short films.

Now, how I learned to edit came about while I was doing my first feature. The people that filmed it for me only had a limited amount of time to work on the film, because they were doing it for free pretty much. My friend, who had just moved back from LA and had an editing system showed me how to edit, so I could finish getting my film done.

I'd spent thousands and thousands of dollars on that film, so when it came time for me to do another one, technology had changed everything and I was determined not to ever go into debt like that again. I bought all of my own equipment, which included a DVX100A and filmed my second feature ("Recoil") at a fraction of the cost of the first one. So, I stepped out on a limb, left my job (worked for the government) and committed to being a full-time filmmaker and finished that film in about 7 months.

Since then, alot of life stuff has happened and I've just been gearing up to get another feature done. I've written 4 scripts and was trying to figure out which one I wanted to do and which one would be the easiest to do and along came "The Jones.'" LOL!

Now, as far as the comic aspect of the film - the artwork was all computer generated and I did it in After Effects. I'm not a comic book artist by any means.
 
This is my second favorite one so far. Loved the interplay of the characters and the sense of menace the zombies brought, even during the comedic bits.
My one and only advice, and this is strictly a personal take, is less is more, as in the cussing.

I'm not against it, but too much can be distracting. Even if that's how people really talk on the street, it can overpower the story.

Great job though, and glad you are making it into a feature. If you maintain the tempo of the short, it's sure to be a hit.
 
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